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Writing in 140: Finding Space to Write

When talking about writing, we often focus on storytelling components, such as character, setting, conflict, and dialogue. What you write is very important. Where you write is important, too. I have a perfectly good office, complete with large desk and comfy chair. However, I love sitting in my dining area. Why? Because the front of the house has more light. Also, the TV is in the living room, and I like to play movies as background noise. And of course, I’m closer to the kitchen--where my coffee pot is located! Sometimes, I head to a coffee shop where I can indulge in my two loves: writing and coffee drinking. Like my favorite spot at home, the coffee shop gives me the noise I need to get focused and to start writing.






Where do you like to write? Why?


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Writing in 140 is my attempt to say something somewhat relevant about writing in 140 words or less.

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Shon Bacon is an author, editor, and educator. She has published both creatively and academically, and her debut solo novel, Death at the Double Inkwell is now available for purchase. Shon also interviews women writers on her popular blog ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING. You can learn more about Shon's writings at her official website, and you can get information about her editorial services at CLG Entertainment. Currently, Shon is busy editing, promoting her debut project, writing screenplays, and pursuing her Ph.D. in Technical Communication and Rhetoric at Texas Tech University.


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Comments

  1. Outside is my writing spot of choice. Something about being outdoors helps me focus my mind and escape from the every day. Living in the Northeast, I can only write outside for few short months, so my second favorite spot is at my desk. My desk is a large antique desk that faces a window. I have space and I can pretend I'm outside.

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  2. We have one computer shared by 4 busy people. It is in our very sunny kitchen/dining room. There is rarely any peace or quiet here; the distractions are numerous. Nonetheless, I really don't relish the thought of relocating. I write in the happy humming hub of my household and I like it!

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  3. I write in the guest room/Helen's office. My desk faces the window and I have a folding table which serves to hold books and mountains of paper. My husband built a huge bulletin board that takes up one wall. The only problem is, when we have guests, I have to give up my office. I take computer and folding table upstairs to our bedroom and set up camp there.

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  4. I have an office with a large desk, file cabinets, and two bookcases. My desk faces a window, so I can look out and enjoy the view. Although sometimes that can be too much of a distraction and I end up taking pictures of birds.

    Like you, Helen, I used to have my workspace in a spare bedroom that would be taken over by guests, although I didn't have to move my desk.

    I am not able to work with any kind of background noise, and simply don't know how you others do it.

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  5. When we moved, I had the luxury of an entire room Just For Me. And after 2 months in a tiny rental where my office was a $39 computer stand from Staples, I couldn't have been happier. I have real furniture, and a door that closes.

    However, I also find that sitting on the couch in the living room with a football game on the television frees my mind--it feels less like 'work' out there--and I generate a respectable output.

    Terry
    Terry's Place
    Romance with a Twist--of Mystery

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  6. I'm lucky enough to have a room set aside as an office. All my writing is done on my laptop at my desk.

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  7. It's fun to see where my fellow writers are sitting! Before we moved last year I went down to my woman cave: a basement office whose exposed stone walls were lined with reference materials. I loved it but since its two windows were under a substantial overhang it was pretty dark.

    Now I'm in a third floor loft with a lot of natural light. I love it, too! I always edit hard-copy manuscripts so that I can shift paces, though. After writing in the morning I switch to my editing throne--a cushy, sling-back chair with matching ottoman--and place the ms on top of a lap board. I need complete quiet to work and this loft is my queendom!

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  8. Like you I like my writing space to be light with access to coffee or tea and some music. I love to look out of the window, so a window is important. The weather can have a big influence on my writing.
    Blessings, Star

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  9. I feel spoiled. I have an office in our family room, and my built-in desk sits in front of a large window with a view of my lush backyard. It's wonderful and quiet, and I never write anywhere else. But I wrote my first novel (years ago) in the living room with three boys playing Nintendo (and shouting) right next to me.

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  10. At the moment I write on a chaise lounge in my bedroom with my laptop resting (where else?) on my lap. I am, however, getting a proper writing room - unfortunately getting somewhat delayed since my ancient furnace and water heater decided late October was the perfect time for them to have to be replaced.

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  11. SO cool to see where you all write! :-) Was thinking about this question a lot the last week since NaNoWriMo started. I'm still writing at my fave spot, in the dining room, but I noticed this week that (and it's not major news) the writing goes wherever I go and comes out whenever it feels the need to come out. I have halted conversations this week to break out pen and pad (or my phone) to take notes for when I get to my laptop and can add to my story.

    Shon

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  12. I do most of my writing in my little office on the second floor (which, by the way, is frigid in winter so I have to use a space heater to avoid growing icicles).

    The only other problem with the room is its distance from my kitchen. I'm thinking of putting a espresso machine up here. That ought to keep me going. :)

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  13. Write downstairs, computers all linked together--his, his and mine.

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  14. My desk, my bed or on my couch, as long as my laptop is handy.

    My Darcy Mutates

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  15. My last novel saw me writing at the edge of my bed (it's easier on the shoulders), at coffee shops, at a table in my apartment, and sitting against the headboard of my bed. I think I prefer writing while on the bed because it's more ergonomically friendly.

    As for coffee shops, I wonder how many people find the sound of activity as background noise which can help concentrate (white noise so to speak), and how many find a nearby conversation simply bothersome. Either way the aroma sue is nice.

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